North Country At Work

Jeff Garnsey, third generation St. Lawrence River fishing guide, holding a muskie. Thousand Islands region, NYS. Circa 2000. Photo: Personal archives of Jeff Garnsey.

Captain Jeff Garnsey inside the Fin and Feather, one of the boats he operates as a third generation fishing guide on the St. Lawrence River. Clayton, NY. Photographed by Sophie McKibben.

A conductor and the station dog at the railroad station in Clayton, NY. Like many North Country towns, the railroad was a vital part of the Clayton economy, bringing tourists to the riverside community. Circa 1930. From the Thousand Islands Museum.

A postcard showing a tourist train arriving at the riverside dock. Tourists were then taken by steamships to the islands. Clayton, NY. Circa 1910. From the Thousand Islands Museum.

Tourists at the railroad station in Clayton, NY. April 29, 1907. From the Thousand Islands Museum.

Mike Simpson, the chef at the Clipper Inn, in the restaurant’s kitchen. Clayton, NY. Circa 2000. From the Thousand Islands Museum.

Restaurant workers in front of the Golden Anchor in Clayton., NY. Circa 1940. From the Thousand Islands Museum.

McCormick’s Restaurant and Bar, a popular tourist destination in Clayton, NY. Circa 1970. From the Thousand Islands Museum.

Behind the bar at the Riverside Café, a bar in Clayton, NY. Circa 1990. From the Thousand Islands Museum.

Waitresses at Vincent’s Restaurant(now called the Golden Acre). Clayton, NY. Circa 1930. From the Thousand Islands Museum.